Re: OT- Saigon Jane?!?

["Todd Wallis" <cyclone@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well said, shipmate!

LCDR Wallis


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John W Rosa" <JohnRosa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "AMC List" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2005 9:20 AM
Subject: OT- Saigon Jane?!?


> Doc,
>
> I thought it was Hanoi Jane, since Saigon was the 
> capital of the SOUTH which we were aiding...and 
> Hanoi was NORTH.
>
> Cartography aside, I think many of us did stupid 
> things in our youth that we'd look back at now and 
> regret. As a *non-combat* Navy vet myself, I can 
> accept the (repeated, copious and seemingly heartfelt) 
> apologies she has issued again and again. An 
> impressionable young woman, seeking acceptance from a 
> Svengali-type man will do whatever it takes for what 
> she thinks is love. I've watched family and friends 
> do similar, but less publicized, stupid things for love. 
> Heck, I've made an ass of myself for it on many 
> ocassions.
>
> Removing the 'fame' element from the equation, she'd
> have been forgiven if she was Jane Q. Public that drank 
> too much one night, had a car accident and killed 
> someone. We'd look at that same woman 35 years later,
> after her repeated admissions of guilt and remorse, and
> we'd most likely have allowed her to 'move on' from it.
> Only her celebrity keeps this thing alive.
>
> I make a large distinction between being anti-war and 
> being anti-troops. I am absolutely against our attack on
> Iraq, but I'll back every soldier involved in it. I won't
> support a war BECAUSE I support my troops. I support my 
> troops IN SPITE of my feelings for the war. Jane's goof
> was an attempt to say that the troops on the other side 
> are just soldiers ordered there by more uncaring leaders
> ....just more humans dying for someone else's cause. Yes,
> it was a dumb way to make the point...and a very public 
> one. But the sentiment was never anti-US-soldier. It was 
> anti-US-policy.
>
> I think veteran anger is best targeted at those that 
> send our troops to die fighting for monetary interests,
> and those that would deny them proper financial and 
> medical support when they return. Jane is one flawed
> woman that made an over-publicized stupid mistake,
> many, many moons ago. And I think much of the hostility 
> heaped on her back is actually mis-guided anger for the 
> war itself and those that ran it.
>
> (Yea- I know...big-time off-topic. Sorry!)
>
> John